ATLANTA — Florida fans would likely have a sudden bout of amnesia when the discussion of the last two months of 2017 begins.

Only a 36-7 rout over UAB saved what would've been a winless end after a 3-1 start. The 4-7 finish marked just the second losing season for Florida since 1979.

Couple that with watching Georgia win the SEC title and come within a play of winning the national title, and there was a change that had to be made.

In comes Dan Mullen, the former Florida assistant who took Mississippi State to the top of the polls in 2014, and the rumblings of a turnaround have begun.

Where does fixing Florida start?

"It starts with our guys playing with relentless effort," Mullen said. "That's one thing we can control: the effort they put into the weight room, into their studies and into playing in the Swamp. We want them to represent Gator Nation the right way."

Getting back to the top is the ultimate goal, but getting players to stay on the field will help the Gators in the short term.

Florida's offseason in 2017 was marred by 10 players being suspended for making improper purchases on campus last fall.

Those players missed the season opener against Michigan, a game which the Gators lost 33-17.

"I look back at when I was 18-22 years old and my decision-making process," Mullen said. "I'm sure I've made a mistake or two. We talk about how their decisions affect themselves, their families and their teammates."

Florida senior linebacker David Reese II said the players took notice of what needs to change during their first meeting with Mullen.

Mullen emphasized a no-weapon, no-drug policy and how the players treated women on and off the field.

"He's a family-oriented guy," Reese said. "He's a hard worker and that's what he expects from us. Those things were set as boundaries on this team."

Mullen spent four seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with the Gators from 2005-2008, winning two BCS national titles under Urban Meyer.

The Gators were first in the SEC in total offense and scoring offense in Mullen's final year, averaging 45.2 points and 442.4 yards per game.

Florida coach Dan Mullen.(Photo: John Raoux, AP)

Mullen has coached quarterbacks at Bowling Green, Florida, Mississippi State and Utah that have been drafted to the NFL.

His latest draftee, Dak Prescott at Mississippi State, become one of only two players in SEC history to throw for over 9,000 yards and rush for 2,500 yards in a career.

The other: Tim Tebow, who won the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell and Davey O'Brien awards at Florida in 2007.

"I've talked to Tebow and his parents," Mullen said. "It was a great conversation that we had. They're a Florida family. They understand the standard that I have for this program. I'm excited to get this program back on top."

Last year, the Florida offense didn't mirror the scoring machine Mullen once coached.

The Gators were the second-worst scoring offense at just 22.1 points per game and the second-worst total offense at just 335.9 yards per game.

Only Tennessee was worse in both categories.

Gators quarterback Felipe Franks started all 11 games last season, completing 54.6 percent of his passes and throwing for 1,438 yards with nine touchdowns.

"We had our quarterbacks watch the film from Mississippi State, but we told them that's not the same offense we're going to run here," Mullen said. "We're going to throw a lot of things at them, but we want to see them go as hard as they can."

Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen before the Alabama game in Starkville, Ms. on Saturday November 11, 2017. (Mickey Welsh / Montgomery Advertiser)(Photo: .)

Mullen said the call to Florida was unlike any offer he'd ever received during his time at Mississippi State, though he found it difficult to leave.

Mullen posted a 69-49 record in his nine seasons at Mississippi State, leading the school to its first AP-No. 1 ranking in 2014.

Mullen inherits a team that returns 20 starters from last season, including all but one starter offensively.

The resume and familiarity with the school made Mullen a strong choice to lead Florida, but can he bring the Gators back to the top of the league?

"The margin for error in the SEC is small," Mullen said. "That's the challenge. You have to bring your A-game every week, no matter who you're playing. We've got to build a consistent championship contender at Florida."